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Most studies on gender and psychosis have focused on gender differences at illness onset or on the long-term outcome, whereas little is known about the impact of gender on the first years after psychosis onset. A total of 185 first episode psychosis (FEP) patients were followed for 5 years after psychosis onset, and gender differences were explored in psychopathology (PANSS), needs for care (CAN), and insight (SAI-E). Male patients showed more negative symptoms than females over time, whereas female patients showed higher levels of depressive symptoms than males throughout the study period. In addition, female patients presented more functioning unmet needs for care, but higher levels of insight into illness than males. Therapy and rehabilitative programs for FEP patients should be gender-targeted, as gender has proved to impact on psychopathology, needs for care, and insight in the very first years following psychosis onset.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-03-11T12:56:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_11477_Dissertação Mestrado Carolina Corrêa Vilaça Depósito final.pdf: 1029927 bytes, checksum: 14df7eec5774f6431106a461fcdef862 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-27 Vilaça, C.C (2018). A parentalidade paterna na separação conjugal quando os filhos coabitam com o genitor. Dissertação de Mestrado. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo. É cada vez maior o número de pais que expressam seu desejo de continuar convivendo e participando da vida dos filhos, mesmo diante da ruptura conjugal. Verifica-se também um aumento do número de pais que têm demonstrado interesse em assumir os cuidados dos filhos após a separação, por se sentirem tão capazes quanto às mães. Entretanto, sabe-se que, apesar da obrigatoriedade da guarda compartilhada no Brasil, a residência de referência ainda continua, na maior parte dos casos, sendo a materna. Possivelmente por isso ainda existe pouca informação acerca da parentalidade paterna, no contexto de separação conjugal, quando os filhos residem com o pai. O presente estudo objetivou descrever como é experienciada a parentalidade paterna no contexto da separação conjugal quando os filhos residem com o genitor, a partir da perspectiva do pai e dos filhos. Participaram da pesquisa seis famílias, tendo sido entrevistados o pai e um dos filhos que tivesse idade entre 09 e 12 anos. Foi estabelecido como critério de inclusão que, pelo menos, um dos filhos, nessa faixa etária, estivesse sob a guarda de fato do pai. Os pais tinham idade entre 31 e 35 anos e responderam a um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturado, composto por temas referentes à caracterização sociodemográfica, características do exercício da parentalidade antes e após a separação, rotina e relação pai/filho(s), relação pai/mãe, participação de outros familiares nos cuidados com o(s) filho(s) e outros contextos. Aplicou-se também, em todos os participantes, a entrevista para levantamento dos contextos ecológicos e suas inter-relações, que foi adaptado para o objetivo dessa pesquisa, buscando-se avaliar quais contextos de convivência eram significativos para pais e filhos e como contribuíam para o exercício da parentalidade. Todos os participantes aceitaram participar voluntariamente da pesquisa e assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido e o Termo de Assentimento Livre e Esclarecido. A análise das entrevistas dos pais e dos filhos foi feita com base na Análise de Conteúdo. Após leitura e análise do material, os relatos foram organizados em categorias, para os dois grupos de participantes, considerando-se os temas de maior importância para os objetivos da pesquisa: ser pai, a parentalidade após a separação e os impactos na rotina, como as crianças foram morar com o pai e o que mudou na relação, cuidados com os filhos, limites e controle, atividades que realizam juntos, relacionamento pais e filhos, principais desafios, participação da mãe biológica na vida dos filhos, avaliação que as mães biológicas fazem sobre os cuidados dos pais. Como resultados principais verificou-se que os pais que assumiram os filhos após a separação sentiram uma responsabilidade maior e reorganizaram sua vida visando atender às necessidades dos filhos. Para tanto contaram com a ajuda e suporte de terceiros, principalmente das madrastas, avós e cuidadoras. Além disso, esses pais mostraram-se comprometidos não só com a função de prover e disciplinar, mas também com o aspecto afetivo do relacionamento. Enfrentaram os desafios de assumir os cuidados parentais após a separação e conciliar o trabalho e o tempo disponível para os filhos. Constatou-se que tanto os pais como os filhos compreendiam a relação como sendo próxima e positiva. Tendo em vista a teoria Bioecológica do Desenvolvimento a casa do pai, entendida como um microssistema, encorajou e proporcionou interações significativas, possibilitando os processos proximais de modo a promover o desenvolvimento das crianças e dos pais. Concluiu-se que a pesquisa possibilitou a ampliação de informações a respeito da parentalidade paterna no contexto de separação quando os filhos residem com o genitor, contribuindo para o conhecimento sobre o tema. Destacou-se ainda que a consideração do ponto de vista dos pais e dos filhos proporcionou uma compreensão mais ampla do contexto, visto que as relações são bidirecionais, havendo influência em ambas as direções.

Integrated science curricula have been proposed since the late ‘70s with the aim of improving students’ scientific literacy. However, their adoption in classroom practice has been very limited. In Italy, only recently the official national guidelines have included the recommendation to adopt in the first two years of secondary school an integrated approach to science. In this study, we investigated teachers’ views about the integrated science curriculum proposed in the national guidelines. Four teachers (two biology, one chemistry, one physics) participated to the study and were asked about what could be the contents that can effectively be taught with and the didactical aims of an integrated science approach. The main contents identified by the teachers for an integrated approach were: nature of science, energy, gases, energy and matter flow in systems. The teachers identified also four general cross-cutting learning objectives: a) to familiarize students with the scientific knowledge as a whole, b) to provide students with tools and methodologies to understand real-world problems and act in a responsible and conscious way, c) to experience the scientific method and train students to learn “by discover”, d) to improve students’ views about Nature of Science. Implications of this study for the design of Integrated Science teaching-learning sequences are briefly discussed.

Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a widespread malignancy with a worse prognosis often related to a late diagnosis. For early-stage MIBC pts, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to evaluate the timing of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and surgery. The current standard therapy is platinum-based NAC (MVAC-methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin or Platinum–Gemcitabine regimens) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) with lymphadenectomy. However, preliminary data from Vesper trial highlighted that dose-dense NAC MVAC is endowed with a good pathological response but shows low tolerability. In the last few years, translational-based research approaches have identified several candidate biomarkers of NAC esponsiveness, such as ERCC2, ERBB2, or DNA damage response (DDR) gene alterations. Moreover, the recent consensus MIBC molecular classification identified six molecular subtypes, characterized by different sensitivity to chemo- or targeted or immunotherapy, that could open a novel procedure for patient selection and also for neoadjuvant therapies. The Italian PURE-01 phase II Trial extended data on efficacy and resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in this setting. In this review, we summarize the most relevant literature data supporting NAC use in MIBC, focusing on novel therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, considering the better patient stratification and selection emerging from novel molecular classification.

Funder: Fondi di Ateneo per la Ricerca (FAR-UNICAM) 2014-2015, Funder: European Commission Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions H2020 RISE Metable– 645693, We isolated a novel bacterial strain from a prokaryotic consortium associated to the psychrophilic marine ciliate Euplotes focardii, endemic of the Antarctic coastal seawater. The 16S rDNA sequencing and the phylogenetic analysis revealed the close evolutionary relationship to the Antarctic marine bacterium Marinomonas sp. BSw10506 and the sub antarctic Marinomonas polaris. We named this new strain Marinomonas sp. ef1. The optimal growth temperature in LB medium was 22 °C. Whole genome sequencing and analysis showed a reduced gene loss limited to regions encoding for transposases. Additionally, five genomic islands, e.g. DNA fragments that facilitate horizontal gene transfer phenomena, were identified. Two open reading frames predicted from the genomic islands coded for enzymes belonging to the Nitro-FMN-reductase superfamily. One of these, the putative NAD(P)H nitroreductase YfkO, has been reported to be involved in the bioreduction of silver (Ag) ions and the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). After the Marinomonas sp. ef1 biomass incubation with 1 mM of AgNO3 at 22 °C, we obtained AgNPs within 24 h. The AgNPs were relatively small in size (50 nm) and had a strong antimicrobial activity against twelve common nosocomial pathogenic microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus and two Candida strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AgNPs biosynthesis by a Marinomonas strain. This biosynthesis may play a dual role in detoxification from silver nitrate and protection from pathogens for the bacterium and potentially for the associated ciliate. Biosynthetic AgNPs also represent a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics against common pathogens.

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by microorganisms recently gained a greater interest due to its potential to produce them in various sizes and morphologies. In this study, for AgNP biosynthesis, we used a new Pseudomonas strain isolated from a consortium associated with the Antarctic marine ciliate Euplotes focardii. After incubation of Pseudomonas cultures with 1 mM of AgNO3 at 22 &deg, C, we obtained AgNPs within 24 h. Scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed spherical polydispersed AgNPs in the size range of 20&ndash, 70 nm. The average size was approximately 50 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed the presence of a high intensity absorption peak at 3 keV, a distinctive property of nanocrystalline silver products. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy found the presence of a high amount of AgNP-stabilizing proteins and other secondary metabolites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a face-centred cubic (fcc) diffraction spectrum with a crystalline nature. A comparative study between the chemically synthesized and Pseudomonas AgNPs revealed a higher antibacterial activity of the latter against common nosocomial pathogen microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. This study reports an efficient, rapid synthesis of stable AgNPs by a new Pseudomonas strain with high antimicrobial activity.

BAC KGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT ) has become one of the most widely-used and efficient treatments for cancer; nevertheless, people who undergo radiotherapy suffer the physical and psychological consequences of this stressful treatment, in addition to the psychosocial distress related to cancer. However, a Radiotherapy Unit is often a place where several patients crowd in from various hospitals with restricted timetables and, for logistic reasons, it is not easy to provide regular psychological sessions for each one. It is important to find a setting that allows us the involvement of the largest number of patients referred to the unit. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the effect of a brief intervention of cognitive-oriented diary on the quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT ), compared to a control group. METH ODS: The sample was constituted of 68 experimental subjects and 78 controls, treated with RT . Both groups were assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS -20), the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scale (HA DS) and the EORTC -QLQ at the beginning and at the end of their RT . Experimental subjects were instructed to report emotions and thoughts before attending the RT sessions in a thought diary. RES ULTS : The experimental group showed a good adherence to the diary, a reduction in mean scores of anxiety (P

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a wild vegetable appreciated as a folk medicine and for culinary preparations. The introduction of borage as a specialized cultivation would allow for the diversification of vegetable crops and would widen the offerings of raw and minimally processed leafy vegetables. Thus, the aim of the research was to evaluate the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut borage stored at different temperatures. Borage plants were grown during the autumn&ndash, winter season and immediately minimally processed after harvest. Fresh-cut borage leaves packed in sealed bags were stored at 2 or 6 &deg, C for 21 d. Weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, nitrates, leaf color characteristics and overall quality were determined through the storage period. Borage plants were deemed suitable for minimal processing. Storage temperature significantly influenced the rate of quality loss. Borage leaves had an initial nitrate content of 329.3 mg kg&minus, 1 FW that was not affected by temperature or storage. TSS and TA were higher in leaves stored at 6 &deg, C. TSS, TA and ascorbic acid content increased during storage. Minimally processed borage leaves stored at 2 &deg, C had lower weight loss and leaf color modifications during storage and a longer shelf life than those stored at 6 &deg, C, so were still marketable after 21 d of storage.

The irrigation of olive orchards is commonly applied to produce table olives with optimal size. No data have been published on the microbiological quality of drupes from irrigated olive groves during fermentation. The trials T100 and T50 (receiving a water amount equivalent to 100 % and 50 % of the required amount, respectively) and control T0 (rainfed trial) were monitored during two consecutive years. The results showed a significant increase of equatorial diameter and flesh:pit ratio of irrigated drupes. The decrease of pH and the numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) registered for the irrigated trials during the fermentation were more consistent than those displayed by control T0. Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus coryniformis, and Pediococcus pentosaceus for LAB and Candida boidinii, Candida diddensiae, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus for yeasts were isolated at the highest concentrations. The global sensory acceptance was better for irrigated trials than control T0. The statistical multivariate analysis showed that the effect of irrigation was independent of the seasonal variability and it clearly distinguished the T100 and T50 trials from rainfed control. Irrigation improves significantly the quality of table olives. Interestingly, all explorative multivariate analyses showed low dissimilarity between irrigated trials; thus, the thesis T50 represents an effective approach to save water in olive orchards without compromising the quality of table olives.

The present work was carried out to retrieve the origin of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in sourdough. To this purpose, wheat LAB were monitored from ear harvest until the first step of fermentation for sourdough development. The influence of the geographical area and variety on LAB species/strain composition was also determined. The ears of four Triticum durum varieties (Duilio, Iride, Saragolla and Simeto) were collected from several fields located within the Palermo province (Sicily, Italy) and microbiologically investigated. In order to trace the transfer of LAB during the consecutive steps of manipulation, ears were transformed aseptically and, after threshing, milling and fermentation, samples of kernels, semolinas and doughs, respectively, were analysed. LAB were not found to dominate the microbial communities of the raw materials. In general, kernels harboured lower levels of microorganisms than ears and ears than semolinas. Several samples showing no development of LAB colonies acidified the enrichment broth suggesting the presence of LAB below the detection limit. After fermentation, LAB loads increased consistently for all doughs, reaching levels of 7.0–7.5 Log CFU/g on M17. The values of pH (5.0) and TTA (5.6 mL NaOH/10 g of dough) indicated the occurrence of the acidification process for several doughs. LAB were phenotypically and genotypically differentiated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR into eight groups including 51 strains belonging to the species Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus coryniformis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus garvieae, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecium, Leuconostoc citreum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus. Lactobacilli constituted a minority the LAB community, while lactococci represented more than 50% of strains. Lower LAB complexity was found on kernels, while a richer biodiversity was observed in semolinas and fermented doughs. For broader microbiota characterisation in doughs before fermentation, the 16S rRNA gene fragment profiling was conducted on the unfermented doughs using MiSeq Illumina. LAB group was represented by Enterococcus, Lactococcus and members of Leuconostocaceae family whose relative abundances differed according to both geographical area and variety of wheat. The culture-independent approach confirmed that pediococci and lactobacilli constituted low abundance members of the semolina LAB microbiota and that although some strains may pass from wheat ear to fermented doughs, most are likely to come from other sources.

In the late 1990s, CREA and the University of Palermo initiated a peach-breeding program in order to select new genotypes suitable for the fruit growing areas of southern Italy. These regions are generally characterized by short, mild winters and long, hot, dry summers. International cultivars grown in continental environments often have problems related to climatic limitations, such as the failure to satisfy the winter chill requirements. About 40 different peach and nectarine cultivars with different fruit characteristics (size, skin over colour, flesh firmness, sugar content, titratable acidity, absence of split-pit) were used as parents in a breeding program by CREA. The best selections were propagated through grafting onto peach × almond GF 677 rootstock and then tested in different sites, including one experimental orchard located in the southern coastline of Sicily (latitude 37°30'N). Over the past 15 years, the aim was to identify the "hardiest and best" selections, on the basis of the main agronomic characteristics (such as disease susceptibility and productivity) and quality of fruits (resistance to split-pit). This article reports the main qualitative characteristics (such as red over colour, fruit weight, soluble solids content, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio) of 13 yellow peaches, 1 white peach and 3 yellow nectarines selected to date in Sicily. Data were collected over at least 5 years and compared with some international cultivars in the same experimental orchard. The ripening period of the different selections runs from the second week of June until the first week of September. Some selections show innovative characteristics, with excellent fruit quality and well-adapted, hardy trees. For the climatic conditions in which they were assessed, it is believed that the selected genotypes can perform well in areas with at least 600-700 chilling units (eventually even lower).